In a rare moment of sympathy for his telly rival, Simon Cowell has claimed that it would be “unfair” of ITV to steal ‘The Voice’ from the BBC.
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It was recently reported that ITV had acquired the production company that make ‘The Voice’, with sources claiming they could pick up the show after its current deal with the BBC ends, following the fifth series next year.
Simon Cowell
Simon has faith that ITV wouldn’t make it competition for ‘The X Factor’, telling the Daily Star: "It's a tricky one, but ITV own it now and I'm guessing if you've bought it, you'd want to put it out."
"If it goes out as it is now on ITV, then I don't see a problem."
However, he added: “It would be a bit unfair on the BBC because they have made it a good show.”
The BBC has come under increasing pressure to drop ‘The Voice’, given the huge cost to took to secure the rights and its high production costs, which are reported to be £20 million a series.
An ITV spokesperson previously refused to comment on whether the channel would pinch the show, saying: “We are not going to indulge in speculation - the BBC has a contract for ‘The Voice’ into 2016.”
'The Voice' has got a new line-up for 2016
It wouldn’t be the first time the broadcaster has poached from the BBC, as Simon Cowell previously stole ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ judge Alesha Dixon to join the ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ panel, while Rita Ora was also nabbed from ‘The Voice’ to join ‘The X Factor’ earlier this year.
‘The Voice’ is currently filming auditions for its upcoming series with its new coaching line-up, made up of Boy George, Paloma Faith, Ricky Wilson and will.i.am.
It is set to return to BBC One in January.